Over 500 students join launch of taekwondo awareness initiative

By Simon Asare, GNA

Accra, Sept. 26, GNA – The Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF) has launched a regional awareness campaign aimed at promoting the sport among young people, with over 500 pupils from 10 private schools participating in the opening event in Kumasi.

The initiative, dubbed the Regional Taekwondo Awareness Campaign, is being rolled out in the Ashanti, Northern, Upper West, Bono and Central regions, on the theme, “Promoting Taekwondo Awareness, Discipline, Fitness and Youth Development.”

The campaign seeks to increase access to Taekwondo at the grassroots level, identify young talent early and promote the sport as a tool for discipline, physical fitness, self-defence and confidence-building among the youth.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Frederick Lartey Otu, President of the GTF, said the programme formed part of the Federation’s broader vision of using sport as a platform for youth development.

“The future of Taekwondo in Ghana lies not only in producing champions, but also in producing disciplined, responsible and confident young people,” he said.

Mr Otu noted that the initiative would create pathways for young athletes to progress from school and community programmes to regional and national competitions, while encouraging active lifestyles and instilling the core values of Taekwondo.

He called for closer collaboration among schools, parents, teachers, coaches, sports authorities and Taekwondo associations to ensure the success of the programme.

“This programme requires partnership, commitment and collective responsibility,” he added.

Mr Obenfo Nana Kwasi Gyetuah, Executive Director of the Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS), urged stakeholders to reconsider the role of sports within the country’s educational system.

He said sports should be viewed as an essential component of holistic education rather than merely a co-curricular activity.

“For too long, we have treated sports as something children do after the real learning is done. Sports teach discipline, focus, respect, resilience, teamwork and leadership. These are not extras. They are the very foundation of the transformed learner Ghana needs,” he stated.

Mr Gyetuah described Taekwondo as a sport that combines physical training with mental discipline and self-control and encouraged schools and parents to provide the necessary support for sports participation.

“When we change the language, we change the priority. When sports become the main curriculum for transformation, we will raise children who are not only academically sound but physically strong, emotionally balanced and morally grounded,” he said.

Madam Nana Gyaama Dakwa, Ashanti Regional Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), assured the Federation of the Authority’s support for grassroots sports development and encouraged more schools to embrace Taekwondo.

She said the sport enhanced physical fitness, mental alertness and self-defence skills among children.

“When the kids know how to defend themselves, especially the ladies, I think it will be of much help to them,” she said.

The launch featured Taekwondo demonstrations by pupils and practitioners, including Poomsae routines and self-defence techniques.

As part of the programme, the GTF National Executive Board presented uniforms and training equipment to the Ashanti Regional Taekwondo Association to support the development of the sport in the region.

The event was attended by school proprietors, teachers, parents, coaches, Taekwondo officials, representatives of the NSA and Mr Edward Akanzu Ise, Ashanti Regional Director of GNACOPS.

GNA

Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade

Reporter: Simon Asare
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